What is New Reach Community Consulting?
New Reach Community Consulting is a purpose-driven public affairs consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in community outreach and engagement. The core belief here is simple: community engagement should do more than just check a box. When community voices get overlooked, decisions lose touch, and outcomes miss the mark. Superficial efforts don’t resonate, and rigid methods can stifle participation — both of which limit critical perspectives, weaken decision quality, and ultimately compromise results. New Reach steps in to change that narrative by helping organizations engage communities meaningfully to shape plans, programs, and policies that truly reflect diverse stakeholder needs.
The Main Benefit of Effective Community Engagement
Why does engagement matter? Because it’s not just about holding meetings or giving presentations. It’s about purposeful interactions that deliver actionable insights and drive decisions. High-quality community engagement requires a specialized skillset to deliberately engage groups and assess their perspectives, especially when tackling complex decision-making. The payoff? Stronger outcomes backed by genuine stakeholder and community voices. With New Reach’s guidance, organizations can:
- Better plan for public engagement
- Build community participation and trust
- Deliver more effective community programs and services
- Validate decisions made
How Missteps Can Undermine Your Efforts
It’s easy to fall into the trap of superficial engagement. But when that happens, the risks are real. Weakening stakeholder confidence and engagement can stall initiatives before they even get off the ground. Organizational credibility takes a hit, and influence wanes. Plus, valuable time, energy, and resources get wasted on efforts that don’t gain support or deliver results. New Reach understands these pitfalls and works to avoid them by applying proven strategies and best practices in public engagement.
Expertise and Services Offered by New Reach
New Reach brings a wealth of public affairs expertise to the table, offering tailored solutions grounded in practical experience. Their services include:
- Stakeholder Outreach and Community Engagement
- Public Awareness and Issue Advocacy
- Messaging and Communications
- Community Needs Assessment
- Social Impact Coaching
- Social Innovation Facilitation
Additionally, New Reach taps into a multidisciplinary network of consultants, ensuring each project gets the specific support it needs to succeed.
About the Founder: Coby C. Williams
Coby C. Williams, the Founder and Principal of New Reach, brings nearly two decades of experience in community engagement, group facilitation, issue advocacy strategy, and digital outreach planning. His work spans Ohio communities and extends across the United States, advancing initiatives at local, state, and national levels. Coby’s expertise is recognized nationally, and he’s been involved with prestigious programs and organizations like the Direct Action Research and Training (DART) Center Institute, the Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University, and the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) USA. His background combines formal education with advanced training in problem-solving and stakeholder engagement frameworks, including appreciative inquiry, design thinking, and human-centered design.
Project Impact and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by fostering inclusive, participatory decision-making
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – through transparent and accountable community engagement
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by building collaborative networks among stakeholders
Why Trust New Reach Community Consulting?
New Reach stands out not just for its expertise but also for its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It’s Ohio’s first public affairs business to earn B Corp certification, a rigorous designation awarded by the nonprofit B Lab for meeting high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency. This certification confirms New Reach’s dedication to making a meaningful impact on stakeholders and communities. The firm also holds several business certifications, including National Diversity Veteran Small Business (NDVSB), State of Ohio Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), City of Columbus Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Columbus City Schools Local Economically Disadvantaged Enterprise (LEDE). These credentials reinforce New Reach’s credibility as a trusted partner in community engagement.
